Wednesday 18 December 2013

Former Cowbridge students come back and visit MFL

Katie Wynne and Ollie Hitchings visited MFL lessons today and told students about their experiences since leaving school in summer 2013. Katie is currently studying French and German at Cambridge in her first year. She told students about her career path in Cowbridge and her GCSE and A-level options.  Katie enjoyed both French and German in Cowbridge but had always thought that she would study medicine and so also studied A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Maths.  Only early in Year 13 did she realise that languages were her true love and so she completely changed her university application to study languages. Katie told everyone that you never really know what you might end up doing in 5 years time so you should keep your options open!
8Y2 listening to Katie talking about career prospects with languages.

Here is Katie convincing 8Y2 about why language learning is so valuable!

Ollie had a different story to tell. He is currently playing rugby in Biarritz and learning and speaking French on a daily basis but he did not study languages for GCSE or A-level and gave them up at the end of Year 9. He told our students how he has regretted that decision.  He said: "You never know what you are going to do in the future and I really wish I had chosen a language at GCSE as it would have made life in Biarritz a lot easier. If you learn a language in school it is easier to pick the same language or a different language up in the future." 
Ollie showed us a short film of all the people who he is currently working with and the languages they speak which include: Basque, Norwegian, Afrikaans, Italian, French, and Welsh! 
Many thanks, Vielen Dank, Merci beaucoup Ollie and Katie for giving up time in your Christmas holidays to come and see us and share your experiences and stories with our Year 12s, 10s, 8s and 11s.

Tuesday 17 December 2013

Stemnet Visit - 17th December 2013

Today pupils from year 9 were given the opportunity to take part in a science and languages workshop, organised by Stemnet, an organisation to promote science, technology, engineering and maths, in conjunction with CILT Cymru.


click here to watch a clip!

It was an enjoyable afternoon for all, and pupils were given the chance to see the relevance of languages in other subjects.






Tuesday 10 December 2013

Cologne 2013 - year 8 pupils try out their German!

Click below (excuse the clumsy URL!) to watch this video.



http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mcBYtPxhzbo&feature=youtube_gdata_player&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmcBYtPxhzbo%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata_player


German Christmas market photography competition

During the visit to the Christmas markets in Köln the students were challenged to a photography competition. They had to take photos following the theme of Christmas.
The winners of the competition are as follows.


In first place was this photo taken by Sashya Kandanearachchi in 8.2
Izzy Lynn in 8.1 won 2nd place with this photo.



3rd place goes to Rose Farr (8.4), Meriel Clode (8.1) and Emily Jenkins (8.1)

Herzliche Glückwunsch! Congratulations!
Prizes will be awarded in Year 8 assembly on Friday!

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Saturday 7 December 2013

Köln 2013 Music Video

Click here to watch Santa and Cowbridge MFL students singing in the festive season!


Köln 2013 Day 3

A really busy day today for pupils and teachers! We started with a visit to Köln's impressive cathedral.




Then we had a look around the Christmas markets, where pupils tried out some more German phrases. 

We moved onto the Lindt Chocolate Museum - the pictures should sum it up nicely!





The girls learn how chocolate is made.

We watched the intricate handwork involved in wrapping a chocolate Santa.


After the chocolate museum we enjoyed a 2 hour Advent river cruise on the Rhine - with a special guest appearance from Father Christmas himself!






Check out Will's face when he spotted Father Christmas!!

Look! It's Christmas Eve!!



This evening we went for bowling and dinner. 










Stay tuned to the blog for an exclusive music extravaganza featuring Cowbridge students and Santa on the river cruise!






























Friday 6 December 2013

Cologne Visit - day 2!

A busy, exciting and snowy day today for pupils as we spent the day in Phantasialand!

Some pics at the start of the day ...


The girls putting some dance moves to the Christmas carols playing in the background..


Fun on the ice...

Ben wows Köln with his ice skating skills!


Frau Green and Herr Burgum didn't do badly either!

Others tried something a bit different...

Girls got in the Festive spirit...


Off for dinner now - bis später!